2023 DRAFT: Mavs take Lively, OMP, sign Mike Miles to 2-way, sign Jordan Walker

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

You probably have to tell me who the center is going to be before we can decide this (you know, as much as message board guys can ‘decide’ anything).

Where I’m coming from is last year’s #4, a much older Keegan Murray, did plug into a starting slot and held it.  Sacramento was tailor made for plugging in a rookie.  If you told me we somehow got Turner or Claxton or Ayton without giving up #10, then I could see it.  If we have to settle for a lesser center while keeping our pick, I’d submit we would bring the rookie PF along slowly much like we did with Hardy.

Luka can start at PF and allow two wing defenders (Green and Reggie) to start with Irving and a C.  Alternatively, Maxi could start and the youngster be brought off the bench and earn more and more minutes over time.  Morris would be the safety valve if the rookie is overmatched early.  Might someone like Black start by late in the season?  Maybe.  I’d probably go back to the idea that the ability to start the rookie may depend on the quality of center starting next to them.  An older and more highly coveted Keegan is probably the exception, not the rule.

I agree with the line of thinking and if we don't get someone who is a true anchor at center you're probably right in terms of how this would be handled.  The one thing I would still point out is that whoever we get at 10 has a good chance at being a talent upgrade over someone like Reggie who has shown some decline but I'm pretty confident that Kidd would not agree with me there.